A ‘POLITICALLY charged rap musical’ about the cost of living crisis is being staged in a former shop in Bradford.
Cashy C’s: The Musical is Bradford poet Kirsty Taylor’s witty, poignant debut play, using rap and bassline to tell the stories of “people who live hand-to-mouth; people who are trading in a kettle on Monday and buying it back on Friday because they really need a fiver”.
Set in a pawnbroker’s shop, it’s a musical where the price of a big shop is close to doubling, the estate’s at rock bottom, and Cashy C’s is thriving. But while Callum is wrapped up in loan-sharking and rumours of him being a grass, he’s feeling an added layer of trouble – the cost of living around here. Can he afford to do the right thing by the people?And if he does, at what price?
Says Kirsty: “Something compelling can happen when our stories are told, in our voice, with our music, by our people. I feel passionate about acknowledging the pain, shame and stigma people experience with poverty. I want to present a realistic story without sugar-coating reality and celebrate some of the beautiful characters and relationships we experience while knee-deep in hardship.
“I hope to create a sense of unity with my working-class community, those affected by austerity who often feel the most powerless.”
The cast is led by rapper Ty Richards, narrating the action, and the score of grime, bassline and rap music is produced by local musicians. A music video, Live Like This, promoting the site-specific theatre piece, was filmed in Holme Wood, East Bowling, Bierley and Westgate Hill.
Said Kirsty: “For years Bradford has had a respected and prolific underground scene of rappers, MCs and beatmakers. The rappers capture and articulate real lives of Bradford people: the funny bits, hard bits, and everything in between, all delivered in the best ‘Bratfud’ tones. For me, it was the only way to bring to life the people and stories of the district.”
Kirsty began writing in her early twenties and has performed around the UK, telling tales about people, class and “the realities of Broken Britain”. She was a BBC Verb New Voice in 2017 and is the creator of Front Room Poetry, taking poetry to unusual settings such as car parks and housing estates.
Performances of Cashy Cs: The Musical are at the former Fulton’s Foods shop on John Street in Bradford city centre today and Friday, October 7, then at Keighley Creative, Hanover Street, Keighley, from October 21-23. Visit kalasangam.org
* OVER at Bingley Little Theatre, a powerful drama about a northern industrial family unfolds on stage.
Rutherford and Son, at Bingley Arts Centre October 24-29, was written by Githa Sowerby in 1912 and mirrors her own experiences of growing up in a family who owned a glassworks company.
The Rutherford household is ruled by an overbearing patriarch, whose life revolves around the business. Disappointed in his sons, he has little time for women, including his daughter. But one of the women in the house will be a catalyst for change.
The play, set in the late 19th century, was initially a success until it was discovered that its writer, KG Sowerby, was a woman – then interest waned and the drama was neglected until a National Theatre revival in the 1980s.
Says director Glenn Boldy: “Every character presents challenges for the actors, emotionally and stylistically. It’s dramatic and thought-provoking; written in 1912 but set in 1885 at a time when great social, economic and industrial changes were impacting on the lives of the people and the ‘female voice’ was beginning to be heard.”
Call (01274) 567983 or visit bingleyartscentre.co.uk
* CELEBRATING a 50-year milestone as a recording artist, Leo Sayer is heading for Bradford this month.
Racking up a string of transatlantic No.1 singles, and Grammy awards, Leo’s hits include Thunder In My Heart, The Show Must Go On, One Man Band, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, I Can’t Stop Loving You and When I Need You.
During lockdown, at home in Australia, Leo spent time recording singles My City In Lockdown and How Did We Get Here? and collaborating on Tradwinds, a tribute song in memory of his friend, late guitarist Al Hodge. Leo also produced a new album, Northern Songs, his own take on songs written and composed by John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
Expect all the hits – and more – when Leo brings the Show Must Go On – 50th Anniversary Tour to St George’s Hall on Tuesday, October 11. Call (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk
* THE complex social history of hair is untangled in a fascinating exhibition featuring photography, hairdressing artefacts and a selection of wigs.
Beehives, Bobs and Blowdries reflects on 70 years of hair styling in the UK, mirroring the years of the late Queen’s reign. Curators Donna Bevan and Andrew Barton have been inspired by Her Majesty’s style and fashion, from seeing her on royal visits as children to Andrew being Sky’s Style Correspondent for recent royal weddings, and Donna lecturing about the Queen’s influence on designers including Vivienne Westwood.
While her fashion changed, the Queen’s hairstyle remained constant, arranged to look like a crown even when she wasn’t wearing one.
Beehives, Bobs and Blowdries celebrates the role of the hair salon as a community hub, a place where significant events and current affairs are discussed as people have their hair done. Running at the Caygill Rooms at the Piece Hall in Halifax until October 16, it traces the role of hairdressing in fashion and popular culture, the future of the salon and sustainability.
It explores the politics of hair, which has deep roots, from ritual shaves to the spirituality of dreadlocks, and celebrates hair as a form of self-expression, and the cultural and economic shifts influencing keys styles.
Says Donna: “I grew up in a hair salon and hair and hairdressing have been part of my research for 30 years. We’re celebrating the revolution in technologies, styles and salon spaces, reflecting cultural and political shifts of the times. We look forward to hearing more hair stories from visitors.”
Visit thepiecehall.co.uk/event/beehives-bobs-blowdries
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